deserving

[dih-zur-ving]

adjective

1. qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.

   the deserving poor;

   a deserving applicant.

2. meriting; worthy.

   a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

deserving

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthy, esp of praise or reward

noun

1. rare,  a merit or demerit; desert

Other Word Forms

• deservingly adverb
• deservingness noun
• self-deserving adjective
• undeserving adjective
• undeservingly adverb
• undeservingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deserving¹

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing ²

Example Sentences

I didn’t feel like I was even deserving of some anniversary.

From Los Angeles Times

Glasner's animated touchline energy transmits itself to a team with class in all areas, and one fully deserving of its current lofty position in the table.

From BBC

They support government assistance primarily for white people like themselves, whom they deem deserving and to be “real Americans.”

From Salon

Ever humble, Noren was asked if he was taking his clubs to Bethpage in case any European needed to pull out through injury and simply said others were more deserving of the chance to play.

From BBC

“I pray that we will remember that every person, no matter how vehement our disagreement with them, is a human being and a fellow American deserving of respect and protection,” Thune said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commendable